End of tour. What a sad day. I have made such awesome friends with the bands this tour. I am excited to keep in touch with these guys and hang out. Joel from The Almost is into old cars like I am, so I will be hitting up his shop to hang some and also make some music, of course. I also feel like Paint Me Irrational could tour and have a great time with the House of Heroes guys. And of course, Colours, Phil and Rico's band. Best tour manager and merch guy of all time!
We are on the road home. For a few days, at least. We have an acoustic house slow in Georgia on Friday. Then we leave the 12th for a 6 week tour with an artist that you all know and love. I cannot spill who it is yet, but a hint: NASA + season. That is all the hint I can give!
We are driving home through Kentucky. It is night time so I do not even get to check out the scenery! But tomorrow, I will be home. I get to see my awesome family and my little Sunshine puppy!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Saturday, September 25, 2010
9/24/2010
We had the best day off yesterday. The Almost and crew met up with us in Columbus,OH and we went out to a tiny little place with acoustic music. It was called The Treehouse because it literally had a tree growing in the main room. We hung out in the bus until 5 am having the best time ever. We got going the next morning at the crack of noon and went to Cracker Barrel. We got the "celebrity discount" and everything was half off which was awesome! Then we went and saw The City, which was a great movie. I felt a little conflicted at the end, but it was good overall.
The food in Columbus is where it is at. We had dinner at Buca di Beppo. That was a true Food Network experience: fried calamari, penne pasta with shrimp, some type of salad I cannot recall the name of (but it was awesome!), chicken parmagiano, and a glass of merlot to top it off! That was delicious. I did not think it could get any better. But it did.
The next place was also featured on the Food Network: Jeni's Ice Cream. Where else can you enjoy sweet corn ice cream? Or celery ice cream with bourbon soaked raisins? Or my personal favorite: goat cheese ice cream? I also had cayenne chocolate ice cream. It was such a weird combination. The sweetness of the chocolate, the cold ice cream, and the spicy cayenne pepper hitting right after! Amazing.
Tonight was a great show in Vincennes, IN. My friend Maggie was there with a couple friends and we got to celebrate her birthday. We had a lot of fun! Then when we were packing up, all the power in as much of the city as we could see went completely out. It was the most creepy thing I have experienced on tour. I felt like the zombie apocalypse was starting. We packed up and got out of there quickly!
I have had the opportunity to experience so many incredible things all over the country on tour. I want to experience and see everything, I guess. I am so thankful to God that I am here. Driving across the country again. Taking it all in.
The food in Columbus is where it is at. We had dinner at Buca di Beppo. That was a true Food Network experience: fried calamari, penne pasta with shrimp, some type of salad I cannot recall the name of (but it was awesome!), chicken parmagiano, and a glass of merlot to top it off! That was delicious. I did not think it could get any better. But it did.
The next place was also featured on the Food Network: Jeni's Ice Cream. Where else can you enjoy sweet corn ice cream? Or celery ice cream with bourbon soaked raisins? Or my personal favorite: goat cheese ice cream? I also had cayenne chocolate ice cream. It was such a weird combination. The sweetness of the chocolate, the cold ice cream, and the spicy cayenne pepper hitting right after! Amazing.
Tonight was a great show in Vincennes, IN. My friend Maggie was there with a couple friends and we got to celebrate her birthday. We had a lot of fun! Then when we were packing up, all the power in as much of the city as we could see went completely out. It was the most creepy thing I have experienced on tour. I felt like the zombie apocalypse was starting. We packed up and got out of there quickly!
I have had the opportunity to experience so many incredible things all over the country on tour. I want to experience and see everything, I guess. I am so thankful to God that I am here. Driving across the country again. Taking it all in.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
9/22/2010
Jeremy bought new tires for his 67 Mustang. He got a great deal and I'm happy for him. What is funny is that we decided to take the back 2 bench seats out, load the equipment in the back, and travel without the trailer. It is a little cramped back there! And now when we unload the gear at the venues, we have to unload the tires too! It is a funny sight to see.
Last night was a great time in Ohio! The venue was cool, the sound was great, and the crowd was loud and rowdy. It feels so good when Ryan stops singing and the crowd sings it back to us and it is just as loud as we are. I love to know that the lyrics we are singing are connecting with the people listening. It is just a cool feeling.
Tomorrow is a day off. The tour is going to hang out, cook, and spend the day having fun! Aaron from The Almost claims to be a pretty good cook, so I am excited.
Tonight we are playing Ohio again. Better get ready for maximum face meltage!
Last night was a great time in Ohio! The venue was cool, the sound was great, and the crowd was loud and rowdy. It feels so good when Ryan stops singing and the crowd sings it back to us and it is just as loud as we are. I love to know that the lyrics we are singing are connecting with the people listening. It is just a cool feeling.
Tomorrow is a day off. The tour is going to hang out, cook, and spend the day having fun! Aaron from The Almost claims to be a pretty good cook, so I am excited.
Tonight we are playing Ohio again. Better get ready for maximum face meltage!
Monday, September 20, 2010
9/10/2010
My days are starting to blur. I love that. I wake up with no idea what day it is, what state I am in, how many days I have been on tour and how many days until the tour is over. I know it has been roughly a week! The clock means nothing, except when it is time to play. I eat when I feel like it. I sleep when there is not anything to do, which is not often. I make new best friends every night and we party like we grew up together.
I love tour life more than anything.
My brother made it to the show last night. It was awesome! He brought a friend we actually did grow up with, so that was cool too.
The show itself was a mess of technical difficulties for me. I broke a string on my main Gibson last night, so I had to use my backup. I had a patch cable keep coming out of my tremolo pedal. On the solo at the end of "Story of a Boy" I hit my lead boost pedal a little hard I think...I kicked it over and it came unplugged. That killed all the guitar going to my amp. Silent guitar solo!
On the other hand, the catering was awesome last night. I love barbecue.
We are driving through the mountains of Pennsylvania. The leaves are all turning. God is the greatest artist of all time.
I love tour life more than anything.
My brother made it to the show last night. It was awesome! He brought a friend we actually did grow up with, so that was cool too.
The show itself was a mess of technical difficulties for me. I broke a string on my main Gibson last night, so I had to use my backup. I had a patch cable keep coming out of my tremolo pedal. On the solo at the end of "Story of a Boy" I hit my lead boost pedal a little hard I think...I kicked it over and it came unplugged. That killed all the guitar going to my amp. Silent guitar solo!
On the other hand, the catering was awesome last night. I love barbecue.
We are driving through the mountains of Pennsylvania. The leaves are all turning. God is the greatest artist of all time.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Festiva9/18/2010
Festival day! So many bands, so many people, so much food! The weather was magnanimous. I met so many people. The show was good and the crowd had a great time.
Our stage had a very strange tech crew. There was no mic in the soundbooth, so the front of house tech was yelling back and forth to get things set on stage. Very unprofessional. Then he literally walked up, threw our guitar case out of the way, and adjusted the volume on Ryan's guitar amp. Bellowing the whole time about stage volume. In front of a huge crowd. Totally ridiculous.
I saw some awesome live shows today. The Almost has put on a killer show every night on this tour, so today was the same. Those are some cool guys too. I hung out on their bus today and watched "Taken" with them. I really like them and their crew. So awesome to be on tour with guys you feel like you connect with and enjoy hanging out with!
Tonight was my first night seeing Red play live. Those guys have killer set. Their drummer is one of the best drummers I have seem live. He was flawless and very technical.
We are back at our hotel and I am going to get some swimming in before I sleep!
Our stage had a very strange tech crew. There was no mic in the soundbooth, so the front of house tech was yelling back and forth to get things set on stage. Very unprofessional. Then he literally walked up, threw our guitar case out of the way, and adjusted the volume on Ryan's guitar amp. Bellowing the whole time about stage volume. In front of a huge crowd. Totally ridiculous.
I saw some awesome live shows today. The Almost has put on a killer show every night on this tour, so today was the same. Those are some cool guys too. I hung out on their bus today and watched "Taken" with them. I really like them and their crew. So awesome to be on tour with guys you feel like you connect with and enjoy hanging out with!
Tonight was my first night seeing Red play live. Those guys have killer set. Their drummer is one of the best drummers I have seem live. He was flawless and very technical.
We are back at our hotel and I am going to get some swimming in before I sleep!
9/18/2010
We played a really fun show at Washington College in Maryland last night. The campus was beautiful. Jeremy and I had a romantic stroll around the campus and sat on the bleachers and talked about touring, women, cars, and God. It was awesome. I really cannot explain how great it is to see the country while playing music with your friends.
After the show, we went to a legitimate Irish pub and I had the best fish and chips I have ever had. It was a cool little place. After that, we headed to the hotel and I was so exhausted I opted to sleep completely dressed, shoes and all. I slept like a rock, but somehow in the course of the night took off my shoes and my jeans. But I left my jacket on.
Speaking of jackets, we are in Pennsylvania and the leaves are turning. It is 60 degrees and beautiful. Luckily, I brought a couple flannel shirts and a jacket! I get the feeling the midwest will be cold!
We are playing another festival today. I love festivals than anything.Skillet its playing and I am very excited about that. I have listened to Skillet since 1997! I am definitely giving them my contact info just in case they are looking for a guitarist. At this point, no idea is "far fetched" to me. Literally anything can happen in my life and it will not surprise me!
After the show, we went to a legitimate Irish pub and I had the best fish and chips I have ever had. It was a cool little place. After that, we headed to the hotel and I was so exhausted I opted to sleep completely dressed, shoes and all. I slept like a rock, but somehow in the course of the night took off my shoes and my jeans. But I left my jacket on.
Speaking of jackets, we are in Pennsylvania and the leaves are turning. It is 60 degrees and beautiful. Luckily, I brought a couple flannel shirts and a jacket! I get the feeling the midwest will be cold!
We are playing another festival today. I love festivals than anything.Skillet its playing and I am very excited about that. I have listened to Skillet since 1997! I am definitely giving them my contact info just in case they are looking for a guitarist. At this point, no idea is "far fetched" to me. Literally anything can happen in my life and it will not surprise me!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
9/16/2010
When you show up to a venue and "prime rib" is on the catering menu, you can pretty much count on it being a great show. Besides it packing out at around 600 people, the sound was incredible, the stage was huge, the green room was a studio that was set up very nicely, and the food was great! Pretty stark contrast to Georgia last night!
I met a guy is a big part of the Moss Amplifier company. They make amazing amps and every guitarist who reads this and uses big boy toys should check them out. Do not be surprised if you see one of these custom built, hand wired, all tube amps become my main rig.
We are on the way to Washington College now. We have a big show there tomorrow. I am looking forward to it. This is definitely my favorite tour. The guys in Chasen, House of Heros, and The Almost are amazing! The jokes and foolishness is already out of hand and it is only the 3rd show!
I met a guy is a big part of the Moss Amplifier company. They make amazing amps and every guitarist who reads this and uses big boy toys should check them out. Do not be surprised if you see one of these custom built, hand wired, all tube amps become my main rig.
We are on the way to Washington College now. We have a big show there tomorrow. I am looking forward to it. This is definitely my favorite tour. The guys in Chasen, House of Heros, and The Almost are amazing! The jokes and foolishness is already out of hand and it is only the 3rd show!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
9/15/2010
We stayed with my youth pastor and his family in Millbrook, AL where I lived for a few years. It was great to see them!
We are in Georgia now, and the venue is definitely a hardcore club. It will still be fun. Hopefully, we will not end up with a crowd of hardcore kids wondering what is going on. That always makes me laugh. You would think if you pay money for a ticket, you would know whether or not it will be a show you like.
It is ironic to me when people come to a show, then are obnoxious because it is not their preferred style. Really? I mean, come on. You do not need a college degree to figure this out. Learn some etiquette, have some manners, stop being an idiot. Okay, I feel better.
We walked around downtown Augusta, GA today. It has a really historic, cool vibe to it. As we were walking down the main street, we crossed this cross street that was an invisible line that separated the black/island stores, clubs, and restaurants and the white hipster stores, clubs, and restaurants. It was interesting how that one street was such a distinct divider.
We are about to load in. We are going to rock out tonight, then get some real sleep at a hotel!
Published with Blogger-droid v1.5.9
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
9/6/2010
Listen. Stop. Play. Soundcheck. Be here. Eat. Sleep. Don't sleep. Wear this. Tune. Set up. Set up on the other side of the stage. Get a wristband. Drive. Sleep. Meet and greet. Sign this. Play this other guitar. You're late. You're early. Stand here for the camera. Here's your coffee. Break down your gear. Your table is over here.
"Your in-ear pack is number 1. You'll be referred to as 'number 1' all day for soundchecks."
What constantly amazes me about playing music is that the only peace I have is in music. When I get done with a crazy day of travel, meeting people, and playing a show, all I want to do is listen to something that will help me wind down. And the stranger thing for me is to think that the band I am listening to probably had the same kind of crazy day I did! That seems weird to me when I really think about it. I wonder if I am listening to Anberlin to relax and they are listening to Between the Trees. It is more than possible. We are friends, so they have our material. Oh, the what ifs...
I wish every show I played was outside. In the middle of a giant field filled with dancing sun-burnt people. Festivals have always been my favorite. It is such a disarming, natural setting. All the artists are on equal playing ground. We all ate together, talk, unpack gear, borrow each other's guitars. Me with everyone from to Phil Wickham to Reliant K to Phil Keaggy in one room eating fried chicken and swapping tour stories and gear tips like old friends.
I feel like a communal experience like that is what musicians crave and need. It was not about "what can I get here?" and "who is the bigger band?" The best conversation I remember having in the past year was last night, sitting on our road cases in the back of our trailer with Paul Colman. It was completely open and brutally honest. Totally a God-arranged time. After a conversation revolving around the failures and frustrations of music, he summed up in two words the best advice I have ever been given as a musician: "What box?"
I always thought of myself as a forward thinker and risk taker. Before that statement, that is. I realized in those two words that I have to rely on God more than anything to take me down a creative and uncertain path to a brilliant future.
The festival was great. It was amazing to see so many musicians I grew up admiring just being people, like we all are. Such a wonderful experience with many awesome people.
I am home getting some friends/family/puppy time before we take off with The Almost next week! Get ready, people.
"Your in-ear pack is number 1. You'll be referred to as 'number 1' all day for soundchecks."
What constantly amazes me about playing music is that the only peace I have is in music. When I get done with a crazy day of travel, meeting people, and playing a show, all I want to do is listen to something that will help me wind down. And the stranger thing for me is to think that the band I am listening to probably had the same kind of crazy day I did! That seems weird to me when I really think about it. I wonder if I am listening to Anberlin to relax and they are listening to Between the Trees. It is more than possible. We are friends, so they have our material. Oh, the what ifs...
I wish every show I played was outside. In the middle of a giant field filled with dancing sun-burnt people. Festivals have always been my favorite. It is such a disarming, natural setting. All the artists are on equal playing ground. We all ate together, talk, unpack gear, borrow each other's guitars. Me with everyone from to Phil Wickham to Reliant K to Phil Keaggy in one room eating fried chicken and swapping tour stories and gear tips like old friends.
I feel like a communal experience like that is what musicians crave and need. It was not about "what can I get here?" and "who is the bigger band?" The best conversation I remember having in the past year was last night, sitting on our road cases in the back of our trailer with Paul Colman. It was completely open and brutally honest. Totally a God-arranged time. After a conversation revolving around the failures and frustrations of music, he summed up in two words the best advice I have ever been given as a musician: "What box?"
I always thought of myself as a forward thinker and risk taker. Before that statement, that is. I realized in those two words that I have to rely on God more than anything to take me down a creative and uncertain path to a brilliant future.
The festival was great. It was amazing to see so many musicians I grew up admiring just being people, like we all are. Such a wonderful experience with many awesome people.
I am home getting some friends/family/puppy time before we take off with The Almost next week! Get ready, people.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
9/24/2010
I am in my fifth state for the day. We are driving up the east coast to get to Frenchtown, NJ. We are playing a huge festival called RevGen, which will be awesome. Lots of great bands and a ton of people. Plus, it is outside, which is my favorite.
I think this trip is taking a long time because I haven't watched a movie or slept all day. I read a portion of "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes." Such an incredible classic. And of course, played a lot of solitaire and online Scrabble.
I have been rolling over a concept in my mind all day. I am thinking about a Youtube video series. Sort of a how-to for musicians wanting to tap into a sort of synesthesia. How to cultivate a sight/sound connection and picture the color and texture of the sound they want to create. This is natural for me, but I think given the concept and exercising it, most musicians could very easily start to connect colors, textures, and sound. Then I will not feel so alone in my weirdness.
So this is a synopsis of my big, exciting day of travel. I forgot my keyboard, so I was not able to record today. We have eight hours left! Halfway there!
Published with Blogger-droid v1.5.8
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)